Improvement in metallic columns



UNITED STATES FREDERICK H. SMITH, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC COLUMNS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 126,841, dated May 14, 1872.

. classes of columns, where they have been in use under similar circumstances for a term of years, have demonstrated that unless the interior surfaces of hollow metallic columns be inspected, scraped, and painted at frequent intervals, the destruction of the columns is inevitable, sooner vor later, from rust formed by water of condensation, more especially in districts where the air, owing to the burning ot' coal in large quantity, is charged with sulphurous acid.

It is the object` of my invention to produce a hollow metallic sectional column in which alI the interior surface can be readily inspected, scraped, and painted for the purposes stated.

To enable those skilled in the art to understand and use my invention, I shall proceed to describe the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect by .reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure l is a transverse seotion of a column made in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of a portion of the same column. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are transverse sections of modified forms ot' column. I

The column I propose is composed of angle bars a, of steel, iron, or other metal, riveted to each other through thimbles b, of such dimensions that there shall be between the bars open longitudinal spaces c, of such width as to admit of easyinspection ofthe inside ofthe column, and to allow the scraper or paint-brush to be readily used upon every portion of the interior surface of the same, the facility with which rust-scales can be scraped oft' and preservatives applied being greatly increased and largely owing to the fact that the sides of the angle-bars are straight and 11o re-entering angles or curves difficult of access are found, as is the case with columns composed of channel-bar segments, such as the phoenix and keystone columns.

A further advantage attending this column is that of cheapness, the angle-bars requiring one heating and one rolling less in their manufacture than 'is the case with channel-bar segments; and they are already made -of rolled steel by several American mills, while all attempts to make a steel channel-bar segment are as yet failures.

By the above-described mode of construction-I produce a circular or substantially circular hollow corrugated column built of anglebars of steel or iron, and open-jointed, to permit of free access to every portion of the interior surface.

The edges of the angle-bars can be thickened up, as shown at d in Figs. 3 and 4, or in other ways, so as to increase the metal section on the outer line of the circle, thus increasing the radius of gyration and consequent strength per square inch; and by Varying the sizes of the thimbles the columns can be made larger in diameter at one end or at the middle, .or at any other part of its length, to suit various requirements.

The fitting and riveting together of the bars can be effected in any ordinary or suitable manner.

What I claim as myinvention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A corrugated hollow open-jointed column of substantially circular form, built of anglebars of iron or steel, substantially as herein shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof Ihave signed myname to this specification before two subscribing witnesses.

FRED. H. SMITH.

Witnesses:

THos. M. BEAEENKOPF, G. E. SANGsToN. 

